The stage shifted and changed, until he found himself on what appeared to be a stone amphitheater. Idly, Kalortah wondered how well the acoustics could be on such a stage, with the open air all around. His eyes tested the air currents, if there were any, and tried to judge how best to perform his songs so that they carried as beautifully and well as possible.
Then, when his eyes adjusted to the sights in front of him, he blinked. Delroth. He hadn't seen his patron in many arcs, not since he absconded with his precious bracelet in exchange for his blessing! And yet, here he was. Many of him, a multitude and flock of Delroths! Kalortah was scarce to wonder if he was imagining things, or if he'd fallen down and was now dreaming.
Yet no, this was very real. He felt too lucid for it to be some vision. There was tension in the air, yet Kalortah had been through many rough performances and dealt with incredibly difficult audiences before. From rowdy biqaj to upstarts who tried to upstage him with a
lute. His mind drifted back to his rival Devin, and then Kalortah smirked. How would his rival feel if Kalortah told him that he'd performed a song not just for Delroth, but many Delroths! Kalortah was absolutely wrapped up in the conceit, that he almost didn't notice the fairy creature buzzing in his ear. He tried his best to shut that out. He didn't want some gnat to ruin his chance at greatness!
Then, Delroth spoke to him. He bid Kalortah to sing and tell him what he had done. Kalortah felt the fullness of his health replenishing every fiber of his being, as the Covenant was sealed. The stage was His. And He would perform to the best of his ability, going through the favorite pieces from his own song book.
He started with an old standby, altering a few words here or there so as not to offend Delroth. Avriel become Avian, and he thought to tamp down on the ugliness of certain lines, but in the end kept them in.
He opened up, without warming his voice. In truth he didn't need it. He felt entirely refreshed and ready to sing, despite the gnattish fairy buzzing in his ear.
"Ahem, cries of the Unfeathered, for those who aren't blessed by your domains, Your Glory."
So, he began the first song,
"Strong winds blow,
Through the arms of Cypress trees.
Flesh of Avian and Slave,
Both part 'neath a butcher's blade.
The suns shine on pools,
Where lesser life's blood leaked.
The Feathered's Prey falls,
Her cries unheard in green glades
The Plumage of the victor,
Ruling with Glory all under his shade."
Then, the next song, which he announced to Delroth, even as the buzzing in his ear intensified.
"Saun Rains, a little number I wrote while in Yaralon, dreaming of the women of the hidden city that my kind have often sought out, but never uncovered."
"Dry soil yearns for the Saun rains,
Below a copse of green trees.
Atop the cold dark soil does lay,
The Fruits of the busy bees.
Shadows flee far from the South,
Chased by ambition to shackle men.
Flying out from Audrae's Mouth,
The call to seek darkest fen.
Kalortah bowed, still ignoring the fairy in his ear. He had one last song to sing before he received the judgement of his patrons. But he had others in his catalogue, and was of course capable of adlibbing if need be. Yet he hoped that wouldn't be needed. He sang the last song, an ode to Delroth himself. He cleared his throat, and sang in and out, through every line without pause but with perfect cadence and rythm.
”Grand Calamity, your riches are without bounds,
Your majesty unchallenged,
Your Greed still astounds.
Grand King of Birds, to thyself due must be given,
My gift is not worthy,
My wretched soul unforgiven.
Master of the Wind, your gifts are without compare,
Your wings soar above all,
Where your ears won’t hear my prayer.”
So having recited the last poem, he took a final low bow, before the Delroths, his forehead almost touching the stones of the Amphitheatre as he awaited judgment. As he bowed, he said,
"And now, I've claimed this entrance for your Glory, Delroth! Have I done well?"
